FIA President Responds to 'Failure in Leadership' Allegations
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hit back at claims by his presidential opponent Tim Mayer, who remains the sole challenger to the seat. Mayer pointed out Ben Sulayem's "failure in leadership" and called his term a "reign of terror."
Ben Sulayem took over as president of Formula One's governing body, the FIA, in 2021. In the last two years, Ben Sulayem has faced considerable opposition from teams and drivers, who mostly seek transparency. The 2024 season saw drivers uniting against Ben Sulayem through the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), seeking consistency in the regulations. The GPDA also requested that drivers not be policed in matters such as their appearance and swearing on camera.
Ben Sulayem faces American candidate Mayer in the upcoming presidential elections, who is a former FIA steward and commission member and the son of former McLaren team principal Teddy Mayer.
Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President looks on prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025 in Imola, Italy.
Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President looks on prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari on May 18, 2025 in Imola, Italy.Mayer declared he was running for FIA president ahead of last weekend's British Grand Prix. Raising serious questions about the way Ben Sulayem has been running the FIA, he said in a press conference:
"Those people work very hard. They deserve leadership that provides them with tools, with a vision, with resources and more than anything else does not have a reign of terror every time they walk into the office."
Now, Ben Sulayem has reacted to the allegation, suggesting that Mayer was out of touch with ground reality. He said:
"I just laughed. I actually had a smile. I said whoever is saying this, they are disconnected with the FIA. Honestly.
"You go to the FIA and just enter and see. Sit with them, tell them it's just between you and them, and ask them the question. I think maybe he's confusing the period."
Mayer also alleged that Ben Sulayem was bypassing the existing framework to run the organization his way. He said:
"Decisions are being made behind closed doors, bypassing the very structures and people the FIA exists to represent."
The statement comes in the wake of several high-profile exits from the FIA since last year, which led many F1 drivers to voice their concerns. However, Ben Sulayem defended himself, claiming he had never spoken against anyone. He said:
"Have you ever read any article where I said negatively about a single person? That's not me."
Addressing the elections and comparing them to a race, Ben Sulayem added:
"It's like putting your helmet and gloves back on. Really it reminds me of competitions, and competition is always good.
"We have such clear guidelines that now you cannot fiddle around with anything and that will never happen, not in my reign."
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